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S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 5
25-32. In the Atmosphere of Heaven
—Simeon no sooner saw
the infant in the priest’s arms than he was divinely impressed ...
[
Luke 2:29-32
quoted].
Simeon realized that he held in his arms One who was the Way,
the Truth, and the Life. There was at this time nothing in Christ’s
outward appearance to give him this assurance, but Simeon had
lived in the atmosphere of heaven. The bright beams of the Sun
of Righteousness gave him spiritual discernment. His one desire
had been to see Christ. The purity of his life corresponded to the
light he had received, and he was prepared for the revelation of the
great truth that this helpless infant was the Lord’s anointed, even the
Messiah. Joy and exultation transfigured his face as he held in his
arms God’s most precious gift to men. His illumined mind received
the light flowing from the Source of all light. He saw that Christ
was to be the hope of the Gentiles as well as of the Jews. The walls
of tradition built up by Jewish prejudice did not exist in his mind.
He realized that the Messiah was to bring redemption to all (
The
Review and Herald, April 2, 1901
).
Two Classes Represented
—Simeon and the priests represent
two classes—those who are guided by the Spirit of God because
they are willing to be instructed, and those who, refusing to receive
the light which would lead them into all truth, are guided by the
spirit of the power of darkness, and are daily being led into deeper
darkness.
By divine illumination Simeon understood Christ’s mission. The
Holy Spirit impressed his heart. But the priests and rulers were
imbued with the spirit of the enemy of God; and today the same
spirit influences human minds, controlling with power the hearts
of men, and making of none effect the appeals of the Spirit (
The
Review and Herald, April 2, 1901
).
38. Pious Jews Waited Day and Night
—The pious Jews were
looking, believing, and earnestly praying, for the coming of the
Messiah. God could not manifest His glory and power to His people
through a corrupt priesthood. The set time to favor His people had
come. The faith of the Jews had become clouded, in consequence
of their departure from God. Many of the leaders of the people
brought in their own traditions, and enforced them upon the Jews,
as the commandments of God. The pious Jews believed, and trusted